Bellefonte plans progressive-style community dinner on Waterfront

The Waterfront along Spring Creek in Bellefonte is targeted for a community progressive-style dining experience Sept. 7, as Belle Key has announced plans to host Bellefonte Under the Lights.

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BELLEFONTE — The beauty of Bellefonte and the variety of local taste treasures will combine into one in September when Belle Key will host a progressive-style outdoor dinner at sunset on the Waterfront.

With the historic Lamb’s Mill as the backdrop, diners will be invited to enjoy a course-by-course served meal, provided by local merchants, along the aesthetic Waterfront. According to Belle Key committee member Ellen Matis, table seating will be set up along the sidewalk near the former Gamble Mill.

“We just wanted to do something cool and different,” said Matis, noting the idea was born in Belle Key’s marketing committee. “It’s a great way to celebrate everything that’s Bellefonte — the history, the beauty, the food, the people.”

Bellefonte Under the Lights is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 7. Tickets for the event must be purchased in advance and will be available at a future date.

“We’re so very early in the process, we still don’t have all the details lined up,” said Belle Key board member Melissa Hombosky. “We’ve discussed having entertainment, but the sound of Spring Creek running is such a beautiful, natural sound, we don’t want to take that experience away from diners.”

According to Hombosky, participants will receive tickets that can be used at the various area businesses that are involved in the event. “It’s going to be set up much like at Wing Fest at Tussey Mountain,” she said. “We’ll have the restaurants set up under tents and people can just take the ticket to the restaurant they want for say an appetizer, then go somewhere else for a main dish, and maybe somewhere else for dessert. It’s designed to allow people to taste all the wonderful local foods and beverages we have here.”

Although a list of participating restaurants hasn’t yet been established, Hombrosky did say the event has the support of Central PA Tasting Trail, a local guild of beer, wine and other beverage makers.

“It was really important to get Central PA Tasting Trail on board,” said Hombosky. “Now, it’s time we start to contact local restaurants to see if they want to become involved.”

The dinners will run from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., as the sun sets over the community.

“It’s going to be a perfect time to really enjoy Bellefonte,” said Hombrosky. “We’re hoping people come out to not only enjoy the food and beauty of Bellefonte, but also take the time to visit the many businesses that line our streets.”

She said Bellefonte has seen 22 new businesses open in the community in the last two years. She said with the completion of the Waterfront project just a few years ago, Bellefonte has seen an upswing in not only commerce, but also in visitors visiting the historic town.

“We want to keep that momentum going with community events like this,” said Hombrosky.